Line length
Encyclopedia
In Typography
Line length is the width occupied by a block of typeset
text, measured in inches, picas and points
. A block of text or paragraph
has a maximum line length that fits a determined design.
Line length is determined by typographic parameters based on a formal grid and template
with several goals in mind; balance and function for fit and readability with a sensitivity to aesthetic style in typography
. Typographers adjust line length to aid legibility or copy fit. Text can be flush left and ragged right
, flush right and ragged left, or justified
where all lines are of equal length. In a ragged right setting line lengths vary to create a ragged right edge of lines varying in length. Sometimes this can be visually satisfying. For justified and ragged right settings typographers can adjust line length to avoid unwanted hyphen
s, rivers of white space, and orphaned words/characters at the end of lines (e.g.: "The", "I", "He", "We").
Typography
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, leading , adjusting the spaces between groups of letters and adjusting the space between pairs of letters...
Line length is the width occupied by a block of typeset
Typesetting
Typesetting is the composition of text by means of types.Typesetting requires the prior process of designing a font and storing it in some manner...
text, measured in inches, picas and points
Point (typography)
In typography, a point is the smallest unit of measure, being a subdivision of the larger pica. It is commonly abbreviated as pt. The point has long been the usual unit for measuring font size and leading and other minute items on a printed page....
. A block of text or paragraph
Paragraph
A paragraph is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. A paragraph consists of one or more sentences. The start of a paragraph is indicated by beginning on a new line. Sometimes the first line is indented...
has a maximum line length that fits a determined design.
Line length is determined by typographic parameters based on a formal grid and template
Template
Template may mean:*a stencil, pattern or overlay used in graphic arts and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs...
with several goals in mind; balance and function for fit and readability with a sensitivity to aesthetic style in typography
Typography
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, leading , adjusting the spaces between groups of letters and adjusting the space between pairs of letters...
. Typographers adjust line length to aid legibility or copy fit. Text can be flush left and ragged right
Typographic alignment
In typesetting and page layout, alignment or range, is the setting of text flow or image placement relative to a page, column , table cell or tab...
, flush right and ragged left, or justified
Justification (typesetting)
In typesetting, justification is the typographic alignment setting of text or images within a column or "measure" to align along both the left and right margin...
where all lines are of equal length. In a ragged right setting line lengths vary to create a ragged right edge of lines varying in length. Sometimes this can be visually satisfying. For justified and ragged right settings typographers can adjust line length to avoid unwanted hyphen
Hyphen
The hyphen is a punctuation mark used to join words and to separate syllables of a single word. The use of hyphens is called hyphenation. The hyphen should not be confused with dashes , which are longer and have different uses, or with the minus sign which is also longer...
s, rivers of white space, and orphaned words/characters at the end of lines (e.g.: "The", "I", "He", "We").